"I think we all could use some hope."
Life is stressful. People are tense. The political climate in our country is volatile. And I don't think I have ever seen so much division in our country as I do now. I think it's great that people are speaking up and sharing their truth. But it's also frustrating to see so many people talking but not listening. There is so much finger pointing going on, telling us who to blame for our problems. And if you aren't careful, you can be easily swept up in this ball of stress and start to believe the world is doomed. It's so easy to just focus on all the negativity, the bickering and the chaos. It's everywhere. It's on Facebook, Twitter, at the grocery store, at church. Everywhere. I've seen so many friends get lost in anger to the point it's hard to even talk to them any more. And I think a lot of people are so consumed with the darkness that they can't see the light. But I'm here to tell you, there is hope. The world is still full of wonderful, caring people. There are people doing amazing things every day to make the world a better place. The world is still full of love, wonder, and adventure. None of that has changed. It's all still there but we've gotten so lost that it's hard to see it.
"If you just open your eyes you'll see it's not so hard to cope with the bad now if you see it somehow."
Every day we have a choice. What are we going to believe today? Are we going to believe it's the end of the world? That there is no way we can fix the damage that has been done? That there is no way to find unity in such a divided world? Or are we going to choose hope? Are we going to choose to believe in people again? Are we going to believe that love can truly conquer all? Are we going to believe that we are going to be ok? It's up to us to choose it every day. We can't let someone else's agenda derail us. We have to choose the enlightened path and stick to it. Because we know at the end of the path, is all the hope we can stand.
"And if you want it then you got to give it."
Once we choose it, we can help change the climate around us. How do we change it? By giving. If you want hope, then you have to give hope. We have to share kindness with others around us. We have to encourage the checkout person at the grocery store and tell them they are doing a great job. We have to help the homeless man standing at the side of the road asking for money. We have to smile. We have to find joy. We have to stop arguing on Facebook and start having face to face conversations. And most of all, we have to LISTEN. We need to stop talking and start listening. Because we all want the same things. We all want peace, joy and a happy life. The only way we get to have those things is if we swallow our pride and listen to the hearts of those around us. If you choose it, believe it and give it, hope will always be there promising a better day. If you don't give up on hope, then it will never give up on you.
"You don't have to close your eyes no more, just look and see the dream you wished for."
H.O.P.E - The new single from Chris Swan.
Coming May 1, 2018!
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